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Nikon 18-200mm VR II
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor ED (2009-)

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Recommendations

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Nikon 18-200 VR

Nikon 18-200mm VR II (DX only, 72mm filters, 19.9oz/565g, $647). bigger. I'd get it at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay.

This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used lens. Get yours only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.

 

September 2023, March 2018   Nikon Reviews   Nikon Lenses   Nikon Flash   All Reviews

 

NEW: Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 VR same size as this 18-200, and goes to 300mm!

Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR. Bigger than this 18-200.

Nikon 18-200 vs. 28-300 vs. 18-300 Comparison

 

Introduction         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Recommendations

Adorama Pays Top Dollar for Used Gear

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio

Crutchfield

This Nikon 18-200mm VR II is an extraordinary do-everything lens for DX cameras.

It's the same as the old 18-200mm VR, with the addition of a zoom lock at 18mm. Otherwise, it is identical, and you can read everything in even greater depth at my original Nikon 18-200mm VR Review.

There isn't anything this lens doesn't do well. If you think you want it, get it., but I'd get the newer 18-300mm which costs about the same and goes to 300mm.

 

Nikon 18-200mm VR II

Nikon 18-200mm VR II. enlarge.

 

Specifications         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Recommendations

 

Optics

18-200mm diagram

Schematic diagram. Blue: aspherical; yellow: ED. enlarge.

16 elements in 12 groups.

Two are ED glass.

Three are aspherical.

Nikon Super-Intergrated Coating (SIC).

 

Diaphragm

7 rounded blades.

 

Maximum aperture

f/3.5-5.6.

 

Minimum aperture

f/22-36.

 

Closest focusing distance

0.5 m/1.6 ft.

 

Maximum Reproduction ratio

1:4.5 (0.22x)

 

Focal length

18-200 mm.

When shot on DX as designed, sees the same angles of view as a 28-450mm lens sees when shot on FX or 35mm.

 

Picture angle

76°-8°

 

Filter size

72mm

 

Size

3.0" diameter x 3.8" extension from flange.

77mm diameter x 96.5 mm extension from flange.

 

Weight

19.832 oz (562.25g), measured.

Approximately 565 g/19.9oz, specified.

(original weighs 19.790 oz (561.1g))

 

Supplied accessories

72mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-72

Rear Lens Cap LF-1

Bayonet Hood HB-35

Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1018.

 

Nikon Product Number

2192.

 

Announced

30 July 2009.

 

Available since

Late September 2009.

 

Price, USA

September 2023

$647 at Amazon, at B&H and at Crutchfield.

About $175 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

 

March 2018

$647.

 

April 2014

$600.

 

November 2010

$760.

 

October 2009

$850.

 

Performance         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Recommendations

It has the same optics and VR system as the original 18-200mm VR.

I compare the coatings, and they are the same.

When I compared the performance of my original made-in-Japan version to this brand-new version, they are the same. There are slight variations throughout the zoom range, but no more than the usual sample-to-sample variations seen between two samples of any zoom lens.

Even Nikon's MTF figures are identical to the original 18-200mm VR. (see MTF for new lens and MTF for original, each at bottom of page.)

MTF Wide

MTF, 18mm at f/3.5.

 

MTF Tele

MTF, 200mm at f/5.6.

The original 18-200mm also has the VR-II system, identical to the newer lens. Nikon claims 4 stops of improvement for both lenses.

 

Rear, Nikon 18-200mm VR II

Rear, showing zoom lock switch, Nikon 18-200mm VR II. enlarge.

 

Compared             top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Recommendations

 

Versus 18-300mm and 28-300mm Lenses

Nikon 18-200, 28-300 and 18-300mm VR

Nikon 18-200 VR DX, 28-300 VR and 18-300 VR DX. bigger.

See Nikon 18-200 vs. 28-300 vs. 18-300 for details.

 

Versus the Original 18-200 VR

This "II" version is the same as the original 18-200mm VR, the only visible differences are the gold, versus red "VR," and that this new II version has a zoom lock at 28mm. Optics and performance are identical.

Just to keep everyone confused, the original 18-200mm VR used Nikon's second-generation VR system, called VR-II. Therefore you'll see the that the original 18-200mm VR with the VR-II system often sold as the 18-200mm VR-II, which sounds identical to this new version.

Gold VR and lock slide switch = new version, red VR and no lock button = original version.

The new version says "AF-S NIKKOR 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6GII ED" on it in gold, instead of "AF-S NIKKOR 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED."

I'll run that by you again: the real new II version says "II" in gold just below "DX" by the focus window, while the original version is identical, minus the "II."

For all I know, since the original version uses the VR-II system, the bottom of some of the original versions may also say VR II in silver. If it doesn't have a zoom lock, it's not the newer version.

So? Except for the zoom lock, both lenses have identical optics, coatings and VR system.

I haven't had a problem with zoom creep in my original 18-200mm, but others have. Heck, when I remember to turn my original 18-200mm VR to 18mm it stays put, too, without needing a lock.

 

Nikon 18-200mm VR II

Nikon 18-200mm VR II and original Nikon 18-200mm VR. enlarge.

 

Bottom,s Nikon 18-200mm VR

Nikon 18-200mm VR II and original 18-200mm VR. enlarge.

 

Recommendations         top

Intro   Specs   Performance   Compared   Recommendations

This 18-200mm is a superb do-everything lens for any DX Nikon.

If you already have the original 18-200mm VR, don't bother with this new II version. Get the 18-300mm instead if you want a change of pace.

I'd also suggest the 18-300mm over this lens, simply because it's a newer design and covers a longer range, for about the same price in about the same size.

Other than the 18-300mm option, this is a superior lens.

 

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11 Sep 2023, March 2018, April 2014